Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for the immediate implementation of institutional reforms in agricultural financing, emphasizing the urgent need for both public and private financial institutions to support small and medium-scale farmers with low-interest loans. Speaking at a high-level review meeting focused on agricultural credit and reforms within Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), the Prime Minister declared that empowering small landholders is essential for boosting national agricultural productivity.
“Farmers with small landholdings must be given respect and honour. They face significant hurdles in accessing loans, and this must change,” said the premier.
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The Prime Minister announced that he will personally review the progress of ZTBL’s reforms every three weeks to ensure timely implementation. The aim is to make the bank more accessible to underserved rural farmers, ensuring affordable loans for both seasonal and long-term needs. Suggestions were also presented during the meeting to expand ZTBL’s reach and improve its performance in delivering agriculture credit services to small farmers across the country.
Recognizing the limitations of relying solely on public banks, the Prime Minister instructed that private financial institutions be brought into the fold. He directed relevant authorities to create a supportive framework encouraging these banks to offer soft-term loans to farmers, reducing dependency on a single institution. He emphasized a coordinated national effort involving the government, public sector banks, and private lenders to streamline loan disbursement and simplify application procedures.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated that expanding access to low-interest agricultural credit is a top government priority.
“Increasing agricultural production is impossible without empowering our small farmers,” he said, reaffirming the government’s dedication to inclusive rural development.
